Capturing Tweedsmuir
‘Capturing Tweedsmuir’ showcases community artworks in a scenic outdoor setting. This project, led by Upper Tweed Community News and supported by a grant from Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme, included curated art installations, interpretive signage, public engagement events, and digital promotion to share the beauty of Tweedsmuir’s landscapes with locals and visitors alike.
Upper Tweed Community News (UTCN) is a locally produced newsletter, printed quarterly within the Upper Tweed and delivered free to every household in the community (Tweedsmuir, Broughton, Skirling, Drumelzier and Stobo). It aims to keep residents informed and engaged with the local community. UTCN also delivers events and runs competitions.
‘Capturing Tweedsmuir’ saw UTCN run a photography competition, asking contributors to capture and submit photographs of their favourite scenes around Tweedsmuir.
The range of photographs submitted represent the constantly changing and captivating world of water, as seen through the lens of talented photographers.
Professional photographer Kenny Martin judged the entries, with the winning images being printed and mounted onto panels to form an outdoor exhibition installed in autumn 2025.
A leaflet detailing the locations of the outdoor exhibition, shown below, was printed and distributed to hundreds of local households, and is available at the Wee Crook Cafe.
You can explore these inspirational images – and the landscapes that inspired them – at Carlowse Brig, Talla Reservoir, Gameshope, Logan Burn and Fruid Reservoir.
Total project costs: £1895.83
Grant awarded: £1825.00 (96%)
1 photography competition delivered
6 artworks installed in the landscape
1 leaflet produced to guide people to the artworks
8 volunteers contributed to delivery of this project
From the photographers:
Sandy Welsh – Carlowse Brig
“I wanted to capture the bridge with the water cascading over the rocks. I waited for a day when the light was good and there had been plenty of overnight rain to fill the river.”
Ian Cook – Talla Reservoir
“The sharpness of the reflection on the ice sheet compared to the water of the reservoir was striking and led to a sense of stillness in the landscape.”
Maureen Thornborrow – Fruid Reservoir
“The photograph was taken on the spur of the moment one lovely sunny Sunday afternoon in late March after work.”
Claire Wilson – Gameshope
“The photograph captures a moment of stillness before I dived into the pool – that breath of calm before the cold rush and the freedom that follows.”
Sandy Welsh – Logan Burn
“This is land I have farmed for the past 48 years. I waited for a day and time when the light was right to illuminate the water and the clumps of ferns on the banks of the burn.”
The Community Grants Scheme was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.
Find out more about Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme